Coupling means

ABSTRACT

Coupling unit between the two ends of a strap, between two straps or between a strap and a structure such as a wall includes two correspondingly shaped elements and a cover to slide over the elements once they are connected. One element is in the form of a cylinder and the other in the form a semicircle of a size to receive the cylinder; after which the cover is slid over the element to prevent disengaging. The unit is adapted to automatically disengage when the cover is slid away from the connection, or when the coupling is hinged upward—especially when the straps are under tension. Downward hinging has no effect on the coupling. The coupling unit may also be helpful as a connector for ropes, bands, belts, leashes or the like.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a coupling means for straps, line or the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Fastening or coupling means for straps are widely used to secure articles to, for instance, loading bays of vehicles.

In its most basic form the coupling means includes a clasp which is secured to one end of a strap and which is adapted to receive the other end of the strap in an anchoring relationship. This is usually accomplished by passing the free end of the strap though an aperture in the clasp, over a ridge or the like, and back through a second aperture; the ridge being adapted to frictionally anchor the strap.

Other forms include a receiving unit and an engaging member being secured to each end of the strap, the members are adapted to engage one another and thereby secure the strap. In this form at least one of the members are usually adapted to enable the tension in the strap to be adjusted by adjusting the length thereof.

A common drawback of most of these clasps is that they are difficult to release when the straps are under tension. This is usually because the tension is transferred from the straps to the coupling means and therefore one needs to adjust the tension in the strap before the coupling means can be unclasped. The higher the tension in the strap, the more difficult it becomes to release the clasp.

A previous patent registered by the applicant in South Africa under number 2006/04003 coupling means for a rope is described which aims to overcome this problem by providing a clasp which is adapted to release under tension. This coupling includes a body with a recess adapted to receive the end of a first line and a slidable cover for the recess to trap the end in the recess.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improvement of the above invention, as well as of previous coupling means for straps and the like.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention a coupling means for a strap includes a first or cylindrical element secured to one end of the strap, a second correspondingly shaped receiving element secured to the other end of a strap or to a structure, and a slidable cover adapted to move between a first position in which a seating portion of the receiving element is accessible for receiving the cylindrical element and a second position in which the cylindrical element is covered and held in place;

The seating portion may be of a shape to encourage disengagement of the cylindrical element from the receiving element when the strap is under tension and the cover is moved from the second to the first position.

The cylindrical element may comprise the element itself connected to a buckle to which the strap is secured. The element may be connected to the buckle by a base member with the base member and the element forming a T-shape.

The receiving element may comprise a housing which contains the seating portion and tracks to accommodate the sliding cover. The housing may be connected to a buckle similar to that of as the cylindrical element, having the main function of securing the strap.

The seating portion may comprise two spaced apart members connected to the inner walls of extensions in the housing which project away from the buckle. In the preferred form of the invention the members are semi-circular. An opening provided between the two semi-circular members may be of a size to accommodate the base member of the T-shape described above, with the ends of the T being seated in the semi-circular elements.

The tracks may extend along the outer wall of the extensions.

The cover may include connection members for connection of the cover with the tracks.

It may be held on the second position by at least one protrusion which extends partially around the cylindrical element by a clip fit.

A second feature may assist to secure the cover by providing a ledge on the track which causes a slight increase in distance and subsequently a frictional connection.

The straps may be secured to the elements by conventional means, preferably with a frictional fit over specifically shaped members as described in the prior art.

In use the ends of the cylindrical element may be placed into the semi-circular members and the cover moved to the second position to achieve a coupling either between the two ends of a strap, between two straps or even between a strap and a structure. The coupling may be adapted to release when the cover is moved to the first position if there is tension in the straps. This may be achieved due to the shape and placement of the semi-circular members.

In the preferred form of the invention the coupling may also be released by hinging the buckle part of the cylindrical element upward. In this form of the invention the base-member of the T abuts the cover and forces it to slide to the first position—subsequently releasing the coupling.

The coupling may be able to hinge downward without affecting the connection.

The straps may be secured in the buckles by passing them through an opening and over a ridged element, and back through a second opening. The ridge may be adapted to include teeth or similar protrusions to ensure a frictional tightening of the strap if it is under tension.

The parts of the coupling may be individually molded from a plastic or the like, and may be assembled afterward.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the coupling according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is sectional side view of the coupling;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the cylinder element;

FIG. 4 is a similar view of the receiving element;

FIG. 5 is a similar view of the cover; and

FIGS. 6 to 8 are similar views of the steps of securing the coupling.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the drawings a coupling 10 for a strap 12 or the like comprises a cylindrical element 14, a receiving element 16 and a slidable cover 18.

The cylindrical element comprises the cylindrically shaped connection element itself 20 and a buckle section 22 to which the strap is attached. The element is attached to the buckle by a member 24 which forms a T with the connection element.

The buckle section includes a member 26 with ridges 28 over which the strap is passed to secure it to the buckle. When the strap is tightened the tension therein ensures a frictional connection between the strap and the buckle. The ridges may be adapted to include teeth 30 or similar protrusions to maximize grip for the frictional connection.

The receiving element in FIG. 4 includes two semi-circular seating members 32 located on the inside walls 34 of extensions 36 on the element. The element further includes a buckle section 38 similar to that explained above, and tracks 40 running along the outer walls 42 of the extensions. An opening 44 is left between the two seating elements.

The cover in FIG. 5 includes members 46 to engage the tracks and protrusions 48 to clip over the cylinder element in use. The cover further includes grooves 50 to assist with grip when moving it between the first and second positions.

In use the cylinder element is placed in the seating portion of the receiving element and the cover is moved from the first to the second position—as indicated by drawings 6 to 8. Once the cover is closed the coupling is secure and can only be undone by opening the cover.

The cover is held in place by clipping the protrusions over the cylinder as indicated by 52. Another feature which ensures that the cover is not unintentionally moved is a ridge 54 located on the track. In use the cover slides up to the ridge which increases the distance from the track connector to the top of the cover, and therefore causes a frictional connection between the cover and the receiving element.

Moving the cover into the first position, either manually or by hinging the cylinder element upward, causes the coupling to disengage irrespective of how bog the tension in the straps are. The semi-circular seating portion is specifically shaped and positioned for this function. 

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A coupling means for a strap including a first cylindrical element attachable to one end and a second correspondingly shaped element adapted to receive the first element at the other end of the strap, and a slidable cover adapted to move between a first position in which a seating portion of the receiving element is accessible for receiving the cylindrical element and a second position in which the cylindrical element is covered and held in coupled relationship.
 18. A coupling means according to claim 17 in which the seating portion has a shape to encourage the disengagement of the cylindrical element from the receiving element when the strap is under tension when the cover is moved from the second to the first position.
 19. A coupling according to claim 17 in which the cylindrical element is connected to a buckle by a base member in a T-shaped relationship and the receiving element includes a housing that contains the seating portion and includes tracks that accommodate the sliding cover, the housing being connected to the buckle.
 20. A coupling according to claim 19 in which the seating portion includes two spaced apart members connected to inner walls of extensions in the housing projecting away from the buckle, and an opening between the members, the opening being dimensioned to receive the base member of the T-shape, the ends of the T being seated in the elements, and the tracks extending along the outer wall of the extensions.
 21. A coupling according to claim 17 in which the cover includes connection members for connection of the cover in the second position by at least one protrusion extending partially around the cylindrical element by a clip fit.
 22. A coupling according to claim 19 which is releasable by pivoting the buckle part of the cylindrical element upwardly, thus causing the base member of the T-shape to engage the cover thereby to urge it into the first position.
 23. A coupling according to claim 18 in which the cylindrical element is connected to a buckle by a base member in a T-shaped relationship and the receiving element includes a housing that contains the seating portion and includes tracks that accommodate the sliding cover, the housing being connected to the buckle.
 24. A coupling according to claim 20 which is releasable by pivoting the buckle part of the cylindrical element upwardly, thus causing the base member of the T-shape to engage the cover thereby to urge it into the first position.
 25. A coupling according to claim 21 which is releasable by pivoting the buckle part of the cylindrical element upwardly, thus causing the base member of the T-shape to engage the cover thereby to urge it into the first position. 